Staff Development Programme 2025
DCN exists to support its members, for instance through highlighting innovation and opportunities, and offering career development assistance. Application for the next cohort close at 6pm on Wednesday 8th January 2025. Please apply via this link
Introduction
Run annually since 2014, the DCN’s Staff Development Programme (SDP) is an established and well-regarded programme for rising stars in DCN member councils to support your professional development and leadership potential.
We’re pleased to say that applications are now open for the 2025 programme – please apply via the form found here.
Please note, applications must be sponsored and signed-off by your Chief Executive or senior leader in your council.
Through this programme, we will help you to:
- Become more familiar with the key policy and delivery issues facing councils and wider partners and give you the strategic knowledge you need to succeed within local government
- Help you to develop the skills to deal with the changing landscape of local government and become a leader
- Provide you with a Chief Executive or senior officer mentor for support, guidance and advice during the programme year
- Develop your understanding of national policy priorities and their local implementation
We are delighted that Penna will be sponsoring the programme this year, drawing on their expertise to enhance our participants’ experience on the programme.
Penna will provide a career enhancing experience, unrivalled learning and access to extensive networks and insight that we have gained from their 50 years of finding, exciting and securing talent for local government.
The main aspects of the programme
A series of face-to-face sessions
We will host four themed, highly interactive professional development sessions. These will feature experienced Chief Executives sharing their leadership journeys and will cover:
- Your development within local government
- Working in a political environment
- An interactive leadership challenge involving role-play scenarios
- A closing session focused on reflection and future planning
A self-directed improvement project
During this programme, you’ll identify and lead a change or improvement initiative within your own council. This independent element runs alongside the structured events. While you can discuss your project with your mentor and peers during face-to-face events, progress is primarily your responsibility. The focus is on developing your individual project management and leadership capabilities.
Regular online learning
Throughout the year, we’ll offer webinars covering various aspects of leadership and professional development to complement the face-to-face sessions.
Mentoring
We will match you with a Chief Executive or senior officer from another council for the duration of the programme. They will provide valuable advice and guidance on career development. Regular meetings are expected throughout the programme year. If you are a Chief Executive or senior officer who would like to volunteer to be a mentor, please get in touch at dcn@local.gov.uk.
Cost
To help cover the costs of running the programme, charge a fee of £470 + VAT to each participant’s council. The fee includes all scheme elements plus an overnight stay in London but excludes any cost of travel to the face-to-face events. We believe that this represents fantastic value for money.
We don’t want any member councils to miss out though, so if the cost is prohibitive, please get in touch
Feedback from the programme
“The programme has certainly helped me to gain confidence in my abilities and every session was a pleasure to attend. I have many colleagues just starting out on their careers who I feel would hugely benefit from it and so I would happily recommend this programme; Actually I often found myself wishing that my team could be sat with me… !”
“My mentor is great and I’ve spent a great day shadowing him. I would encourage people to get involved with the SDP, you make so many contacts and pick up great ideas and ways of working. The DCN are a great support. Take this opportunity with both hands!”
“The experience was one I would recommend to anyone wishing to challenge themselves whilst learning new skills and being pushed slightly out of your comfort zone!”
“[The programme] has been invaluable to me and is probably the reason I have gained my new role.”
“The programme provided me with experiences and knowledge to grow my confidence to progress and get involved in projects I wouldn’t normally consider I had the experience for within the organisation.”
Getting in touch
You can reach us at any time on dcn@local.gov.uk
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